Mikko Rantanen, Alex Newhook lead NHL-best Avalanche past Sabres

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Mikko Rantanen scored a goal and assisted on Alex Newhook’s tiebreaking goal in the third period, and the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-3 on Saturday.

Nathan MacKinnon also had a goal and an assist, J.T. Compher and Nazem Kadri scored the other goals, and Colorado extended its season-best road win streak to seven. With consecutive wins to open a four-game trip, the Avalanche improved to 8-0-1 in their past nine road games and 24-2-2 overall since Dec. 6.

"It’s something we talked about earlier on in the year, because I think when we got going at home, we were only .500 on the road," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "Now to be able to string together seven in a row at a tough time in the year, I think it kind of shows that we can play our game, not just in our building, but on the road as well."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri, left, celebrates with left wing Andre Burakovsky, center and defenseman Devon Toews after scoring against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Darcy Kuemper made 29 saves to earn a point in his 18th consecutive decision (16-0-2), prolonging a franchise record.

Tage Thompson netted his first hat trick for the Sabres, who have lost two in a row and fell to 8-14-4 at home. Jeff Skinner had two assists and Dustin Tokarski stopped 31 shots.

"Obviously the end result’s not what we want," Thompson said. "But I thought we played a full 60, and we played the right way. And that’s what you’ve got to do every night. Now it’s just about finding that